Every year within Salinas, there are a few hundred lift truck mishaps that are reported. Though operator training is certainly the most essential part of preventing workplace accidents, it is not sufficient to decrease the number of incidences. Clearly, the best method to preventing lift truck mishaps is having the organization and business involved, as well as combining the efforts of everybody in the facility.
Toyota has implemented the System of Active Stability or SAS, which is technology derived from the automotive technology. The SAS could electrically monitor and control lift truck operations. This specific system is important for helping decrease the risk of accidents from occurring. Whenever the SAS system detects any type of instability, its advanced sensors signal simultaneously and engage the proper controller. Both the Active Mast Function Controller and the Active Control Rear Stabilizer help to prevent injuries or accidents occurring by adding stability.
Toyota's SAS system is a patented technology that can sense various things which could cause possible lateral instability. If and when those conditions are detected, the SAS immediately locks a hydraulic cylinder on the rear steer axle. If this specific situation happens, the lift truck's stability footprint changes to a rectangular in shape from a triangular in shape, resulting in more stability. The outcome is an instant stability and really lessens the likelihood of a lateral overturn from happening.
When the machinery senses instability happening, the SAS engages immediately. Then, the rear axle becomes stabilized when the Swing Lock Cylinder is engaged. This creates the lateral stability the equipment needs to help decrease the possibility of lateral tip-overs from happening.
Similar to the active rear stabilizer control, the active mast function controller uses the same technologies. Its function is to sense the numerous factors that can result in a possible longitudinal instability. When the SAS controller detects potential longitudinal instability from occurring, 2 systems become engaged to help decrease the possibilities of rearward and forward tip-over accidents from occurring: the forward tilt angle control and the rear tilt speed control.
The Forward Tilt Angle Control will sense mast height and load weight, then automatically override the operator's manual control and limit forward tilt to reduce the chance of tipping the forklift forward or spilling a load. These safety mechanisms are in place to help the operator be safe.
The Rear Tilt Speed Control uses the same load sensors and same mast height sensors to govern the mast's reverse tilt speed to half. This really lessens the possibilities of having the lift truck tilt backwards or spilling unsecured loads.